​​​Arts and Culture Nonprofits: Organizational Support Grant Program (OSP)

The Arts and Culture Nonprofits: Organizational Support Grant Program (OSP) by the City of San Diego provides vital funding to tax-exempt, nonprofit arts organizations. It supports projects that enhance the quality of life and cultural engagement in the city. Organizations can receive operational support based on their annual income, with awards ranging from $5,000 to 22% of their income. This initiative fosters a thriving arts ecosystem and broadens access to cultural activities.

NOTE: The City offers funding opportunities through annual Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) processes, each consisting of two phases: Part 1 - Request for Qualifications (RFQ), designated as Letter of Inquiry deadline above, and Part 2- Request for Proposals (RFP). During the RFQ phase, organizations present their qualifications to the City to demonstrate their capacity to successfully implement City-funded projects and meet applicable requirements. Organizations qualified via the RFQ phase are then invited to participate in the RFP phase by submitting project proposals for funding consideration.
Creativity and the arts play an important role in enhancing the quality of life in San Diego. One of the ways the Commission for Arts and Culture cultivates a dynamic arts ecosystem and promotes greater cultural participation and engagement is through the funding of projects and organizations. These funds, awarded to nonprofits through competitive application processes, make meaningful impacts in communities and expand access to arts and culture throughout the city.
Organizational Support Program
The Organizational Support Program (OSP) provides general operating support to tax-exempt, nonprofit, arts and culture organizations, for delivery of activities and programming that positively impact San Diego’s quality of life and tourism and provide direct access and increased opportunities for excellence in culture and the arts.
Funding Availability
The amount of money an applicant can be awarded is calculated using an algorithm and is dependent on several factors including the organization’s submitted annual operating income, the rank given to the organization’s proposal, the total amount of funds available for distribution and the number of organizations receiving awards. Last year, OSP applicants were awarded between 2%-22% of their annual operating income (AOI). The minimum award amount an applicant can receive is $5,000.